Inlet diverter

ABSTRACT

An inlet diverter is provided for separating multiphase mixtures. The inlet diverter has curved vanes which define flow passages between adjacent vanes. The passages are arranged such that the inlet diverter discharges flow from the passages toward the inlet.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The systems and methods described below relate to separation apparatusesfor separating multiphase mixtures. More particularly, the systems andmethods relate to vaned separation apparatuses.

BACKGROUND

The oil and gas industry requires multiphase mixtures to be separated inpreparation for downstream processing. Some separation techniquesutilize separation apparatuses positioned within a separation vessel. Amultiphase mixture is directed into the separation vessel such that itcontacts the separation apparatuses. A certain level of separation isachieved by forcing the multiphase mixture through the separationapparatuses. An issue with some separation techniques, however, is thatthe separation of the multiphase mixture is insufficient and/orinefficient. Additionally, the configuration of the separationapparatuses may lead to undesirable liquid shearing and/oraerosolization, both of which may impede the separating ability of theseparation apparatuses and may adversely affect downstream processing.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, an inlet diverter for separating amultiphase mixture is provided. The inlet diverter comprises at leastone inlet and a vane grouping positioned proximate to the at least oneinlet. The vane grouping comprises a plurality of vanes each positionedbeside each other. Each vane of the plurality of vanes has a leadingportion extending outwardly in a first direction and a trailing portionextending outwardly in a second direction. Additionally, a curved vaneportion extends between each leading portion and trailing portion andcomprises an inner vane surface and an outer vane surface. At least aportion of the inner vane surface and the outer vane surface are curved.The leading portion and the trailing portion of each vane of theplurality of vanes extend generally towards the at least one inlet.

In accordance with another embodiment, an inlet diverter is providedthat comprises a vane assembly having a plurality of first vanes and aplurality of second vanes. Each of the first and second vanes has aleading portion and a curved trailing portion. The leading portions ofthe first vanes are laterally adjacent and substantially parallel to theleading portions of the second vanes. Additionally, each of the curvedtrailing portions of the first and second vanes define a respectivedegree of curvature. The degree of curvature of each of the curvedtrailing portions of the first and second vanes is more than about 135degrees.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, an inlet diverter forseparating a multiphase mixture is provided that comprises an inlet anda vane assembly defining a plurality of first flow passages and aplurality of second flow passages. Each of the first flow passages andthe second flow passages define a passage entrance and a passage exit.The first flow passages each define a curved portion that terminates atthe passage exit. The second flow passages each define a curved portionthat terminates at the passage exit. Additionally, each of the passageentrances and the passage exits are oriented towards the inlet.

In accordance with still yet another embodiment, a method of separatinga multiphase mixture is provided. The method comprises receiving amultiphase flow through an inlet and contacting the multiphase flow witha leading portion of a plurality of vanes of a vane assembly. Theplurality of vanes are laterally spaced apart to define a plurality ofpassages that each comprise a curved portion. The method also comprisesrouting the multiphase flow through the curved portions of the pluralityof passages and discharging at least a portion of the multiphase flowfrom the vane assembly towards the inlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It is believed that certain embodiments will be better understood fromthe following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of an inlet diverter in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts a rear isometric exploded view of the inlet diverter ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts the inlet diverter of FIG. 1 with components removed forclarity of illustration.

FIG. 4 depicts a top view of an example vane assembly.

FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of the inlet diverter of FIG. 1 withcomponents removed for clarity of illustration.

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of the inlet diverter, as viewed from aninlet.

FIG. 7 depicts a partial cutaway view of an example vessel that ishousing the inlet diverter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 depicts an inner vane of the inlet diverter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 depicts an example vane grouping in accordance with anothernon-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 10 depicts another example vane grouping in accordance with anothernon-limiting embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now bedescribed to provide an overall understanding of the principles of thestructure, function, and use of the disclosed inlet diverters. One ormore examples of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in theselected examples disclosed and described in detail with reference madeto FIGS. 1-10 in the accompanying drawings. The examples discussedherein are examples only and are provided to assist in the explanationof the apparatuses, systems and methods described herein. None of thefeatures or components shown in the drawings or discussed below shouldbe taken as mandatory for any specific implementation of any of theseapparatuses, systems or methods unless specifically designated asmandatory. For ease of reading and clarity, certain components ormethods may be described solely in connection with a specific figure. Inthis disclosure, any identification of specific techniques orarrangements is either related to a specific example presented or ismerely a general description of such a technique, arrangement, and soforth. Identifications of specific details or examples are not intendedto be, and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unlessspecifically designated as such. Any failure to specifically describe acombination or sub-combination of components should not be understood asan indication that any combination or sub-combination is not possible.It will be appreciated that modifications to the disclosed and describedexamples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements,apparatuses, devices, systems, methods, etc. can be made and may bedesired for a specific application. Also, for any methods described,regardless of whether the method is described in conjunction with a flowdiagram, it should be understood that, unless otherwise specified orrequired by context, any explicit or implicit ordering of stepsperformed in the execution of a method does not imply that those stepsmust be performed in the order presented but, instead, may be performedin a different order or in parallel.

Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “someembodiments,” “one embodiment,” “some example embodiments,” “one exampleembodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with any embodimentis included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases“in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,”“some example embodiments,” “one example embodiment, or “in anembodiment” in places throughout the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particularfeatures, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitablemanner in one or more embodiments.

The present disclosure generally relates to apparatus, systems andmethods for separating a multiphase mixture into separate components.The type of separation facilitated by the inlet diverters describedherein can vary based on the constituents of the multiphase mixturebeing processed. As such, some inlet diverters in accordance with thepresent disclosure separate gaseous components and one or more liquidcomponents and/or separate one or more liquid components from otherliquid components. Additionally, some inlet diverters in accordance withthe present disclosure additionally or alternatively separate solidcomponents from liquid and/or gaseous components. As described in moredetail below, the inlet diverters described below can provide, withoutlimitation, separation of gas from a liquid emulsion (i.e., of oil andwater), separation of water from oil, separation of different liquidshaving different specific gravities, and/or separation of solids fromliquids. In some oil and gas implementations, an inlet diverter can bemounted inside a vessel, sometimes referred to as a separation vessel,into which a well stream is flowed after it leaves a producing well. Thewell stream is directed into the inlet diverter to separate the wellstream into various constituent components to aid in the processing ofthe well stream.

Inlet diverters in accordance with the present disclosure can enhancethe separation of gaseous components from liquid streams through the useof curved vanes that serve to route a multiphase mixture flowing throughthe inlet diverter. The configuration of the inlet diverters describedherein can also provide for efficient separation by reducing shearstress on the incoming liquid droplets, as the inlet stream flow rate isgradually slowed thereby minimizing liquid droplet collision frequencyand velocity. Such configuration can provide for gas/liquid separationas well as separating liquids of different specific gravities and/orseparating solid components from a liquid stream. The vane geometry,orientation, and spacing is configured such that the vast majority ofincoming liquid droplets are redirected and gradually de-accelerateduntil they either drop to a liquid pad due to gravity, impact on aninternal surface or another droplet without splattering or breaking up,or proceed downstream through the vane passages.

When positioned in a vessel, the inlet diverter can be positioned suchthat the multiphase mixture is redirected back towards a head of theseparation vessel upon exiting the inlet diverter. In using the curvedvanes described in more detail below, the flow rate of the multiphasemixture can beneficially be slowed and the liquid droplet residence timecan be increased. Slowing the flow rate also reduces the speed at whichdroplets impinge on the vessel walls, which can reduce aerosolization.Also, should components of the multiphase mixture collide with the vanesurfaces, they collide at relatively oblique angles and at lowerrelative speeds, which can beneficially increase the likelihood that thedroplets coalesce into larger droplets, or remain in contact with thevane surface. Such a configuration can reduce droplet breakup which, inturn, can preserve larger droplet sizes that are more likely to settleto a liquid bed below the inlet diverter due to gravity.

Furthermore, in accordance with various embodiments, leading edges ofthe vanes can interact with the incoming multiphase mixture stream insuch a way that large incoming liquid droplet sizes can generally bepreserved. By preserving large droplet sizes, the separation of gasphases from liquid phases can occur faster, more efficiently, andaerosolization of the liquid mix can be reduced as compared toconventional arrangements.

After exiting the inlet diverter, the large droplets can collide withthe vessel head and then drop into the liquid pool inside the separatorvessel. The gaseous components (such as natural gas), now virtually freeof oil and water droplets, can continue through the separator vessel tothey can eventually be removed from the vessel through an exit.

FIG. 1 depicts a front isometric view of an example inlet diverter 100in accordance with one embodiment, FIG. 2 depicts a rear isometricexploded view of the inlet diverter 100, and FIG. 3 depicts the inletdiverter 100 with a first plate 130 removed for clarity of illustration.Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the inlet diverter 100 in the illustratedembodiment has a vane assembly 150 (FIG. 2) comprising a plurality ofvanes 110, 112, 114, 140, 142, 144 that can be positioned beside eachother, such as in a nested arrangement. The vane assembly 150 ispositioned proximate to an inlet 124, with the inlet 124 being thegeneral area of the inlet diverter 100 through which multiphase mixtureis introduced so that it can enter the vane assembly 150. Thus, whilethe size and orientation of the inlet 124 may vary, it serves to routean incoming multiphase mixture into the vane assembly 150.

As shown in FIG. 3, the vane assembly 150 of the illustrated embodimentincludes a first vane grouping 102 and a second vane grouping 122. Insome embodiments, the first vane grouping 102 is generally symmetricalto and a mirror image of the second vane grouping 122, as is shown inFIGS. 1-3. Each of the vane groupings 102, 122 has a plurality of vanesthat are vertically positioned beside and spaced laterally from eachother. In the illustrated embodiment, the first vane grouping 102includes an innermost vane 110, an inner vane 112, and an outermost vane114. Similarly, the second vane grouping 122 includes an innermost vane140, an inner vane 142, and an outermost vane 144. As is to beappreciated upon consideration of the present disclosure, the number ofvanes in the vane assembly 150 may vary. For instance, while the vaneassembly 150 is shown to include six vanes, in some embodiments the vaneassembly 150 may include more than six vanes or less than six vanes.Additionally, while the first vane grouping 102 is shown to have thesame number of vanes as the second vane grouping 122, in someconfigurations, the number of vanes in the first vane grouping 102 maydiffer from the number of vanes in the second vane grouping 122.

The illustrated inlet diverter 100 also has a diverter plate 146flanking the first vane grouping 102 and another diverter plate 148flanking the second vane grouping 122. While the diverter plates 146,148 do not have curved sections, these plates can assist in routing theflow of a multiphase mixture towards the vane assembly 150. The diverterplates 146, 148 can also assist in defining various flow passages, asdescribed in more detail below.

FIG. 4 depicts a top view of the vane assembly 150 of the inlet diverter100. Each vane (e.g., 110, 112, 114, 140, 142, 144) of the vane assembly150 can have a leading portion 104 that extends outwardly. The leadingportions 104 of the first vane grouping 102 are shown to extend indirection A. The leading portions 104 of the second vane grouping 122are shown to extend in direction C. Each vane of the vane assembly 150can have also have a trailing portion 106 that extends outwardly. Thetrailing portions 106 of the first vane grouping 102 are shown to extendin direction B. The trailing portions 106 of the second vane grouping122 are shown to extend in direction D. As shown, the leading portions104 and the trailing portions 106 of the illustrated embodiment eachgenerally extend back towards the inlet 124, such that they aresubstantially parallel to each other and parallel to the direction ofthe flow of a multiphase mixture (shown as flow F on FIG. 4). In otherembodiments, the leading portions 104 and/or trailing portions 106 maygenerally extend back towards the inlet but not be substantiallyparallel to each other.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, each leading portion 104 can have a leading edgethat faces the incoming multiphase mixture stream. In particular,innermost vane 110 has a leading edge 110A, inner vane 112 has a leadingedge 112A, and outermost vane 114 has a leading edge 114A. Similarly,innermost vane 140 has a leading edge 140A, inner vane 142 has a leadingedge 142A, and outermost vane 144 has a leading edge 144A. Theorientation and configuration of the leading edges 110A, 112A, 114A,140A, 142A, 144A can vary. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment,leading edges 110A and 140A include a chamfer 138. In other embodiments,other leading edges may also include a chamfer or a bevel, may berounded, or otherwise be shaped to enhance the operation of the inletdiverter 100. The leading edges 110A, 112A, 114A, 140A, 142A, 144A canbe structured to interact with an incoming stream of a multiphasemixture such that large incoming liquid droplet sizes can generally bepreserved. By preserving large droplet sizes, the separation of gas fromliquid phases can occur faster, more efficiently, and aerosolization ofthe liquid mix is minimized.

Each trailing portion 106 of the vanes in the vane assembly 150 can havea trailing edge. As such, innermost vane 110 has a trailing edge 110B,inner vane 112 has a trailing edge 112B, and outermost vane 114 has atrailing edge 114B. Similarly, innermost vane 140 has a trailing edge140B, inner vane 142 has a trailing edge 142B, and outermost vane 144has a trailing edge 144B. While trailing edges 110B, 112B, 114B, 140B,142B, 144B are shown as being flat, this disclosure is not so limited.

The relative position of the leading portions 104 of adjacent vanes maydiffer from the relative position of the trailing portions 106. Inparticular, the leading edges 110A, 112A, 114A and the leading edges140A, 142A, 144A can be arranged in a variety of differentconfigurations, as may be desired, to enhance operation of the inletdiverter 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the leading edges 110A,112A, 114A of the first vane grouping 102 are shown to be obliquelyaligned with respect to each other. As such, the leading edge 114A ofthe outermost vane 114 is more distal to the inlet 124 than the leadingedge 110A of the inner vane 110. Similarly, the leading edges 140A,142A, 144A of the second vane grouping 122 are shown to be obliquelyaligned with respect to each other. As such, the leading edge 144A ofthe outermost vane 144 is more distal to the inlet 124 than the leadingedge 140A of the inner vane 140. The leading edges 110A, 112A, 114A ofthe first vane grouping 102 and the leading edges 140A, 142A, 144A ofthe second vane grouping 122 collectively define a V-shape extendinginto the vane assembly 150.

The trailing edges 110B, 112B, 114B, 140B, 142B, 144B of each of thetrailing portions 106 are shown to be laterally aligned with respect toeach other in the illustrated embodiment. However, similar to theleading edges 110A, 112A, 114A, 140A, 142A, 144A, the trailing edges110B, 112B, 114B, 140B, 142B, 144B can also be offset with respect toeach other, as described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 10.

Each of the vanes of the vane assembly 150 can have a curved vaneportion 108 that extends between the respective leading portion 104 andtrailing portion 106. In particular, each of the vanes can have an innervane surface 126 and an outer vane surface 128 and at least a portion ofthe inner vane surface 126 and the outer vane surface 128 are curved.The curvature of these surfaces allows the vanes of the vane assembly150 to slow the flow of the multiphase mixture and redirect it backtowards the inlet 124 upon discharge. The vanes of the first vanegrouping 102 curve outwardly in a first outward direction and the vanesof the second vane grouping 122 curve outwardly in a second outwarddirection. In the illustrated embodiment, the first outward direction isopposite to the second outward direction.

In some embodiments, the curved vane portions 108 comprise at least aportion or all of the respective leading portions 104. Alternatively oradditionally, the curved vane portions 108 can comprise at least aportion or all of the respective trailing portions 106. In theillustrated embodiment, the leading portion 104 is generally flat andextends tangentially from the curved vane portion 108 towards the inlet124. As such, a multiphase mixture flowing through the inlet 124 of theinlet diverter 100 will first encounter the leading portions 104 of thevanes which then smoothly transition into the curved vane portions 108.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the outer vane surface 128 ofthe outermost vane 114 and at least a portion of the outer vane surface128 of the outermost vane 144 are contacting and define a contactingzone 168 (FIG. 4) that is impervious to the multiphase mixture. Thecontacting zone 168 can include the leading portion 104 of the outermostvane 114 and the leading portion 104 of the outermost vane 144. Theproximal portion of the contacting zone 168 comprises the chamfers 138to minimize liquid shearing and preserve droplet size. The use of thecontacting zone 168 can assist in ensuring the entire multiphase mixtureis routed through one of the first and second vane groupings 102, 122.

Each vane of the first vane grouping 102 is spaced apart from anadjacent vane by an offset distance in order to create flow passages. Inthe illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the innermost vane 110is spaced apart from the inner vane 112 by an offset distance D1. Theoutermost vane 114 is spaced apart from the inner vane 112 by an offsetdistance D2. Similarly, each vane of the second vane grouping 122 isspaced apart from an adjacent vane by an offset distance. In theillustrated embodiment, the innermost vane 140 is spaced apart from theinner vane 142 by an offset distance D3. The outermost vane 144 isspaced apart from the inner vane 142 by an offset distance D4. As isshown, each offset distance D1, D2, D3, and D4 can be substantiallyequal, however this disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments,for instance, D1 and D3 may be substantially equal and D2 and D4 may bemay be substantially equal, but D1 and D3 may differ from D2 and D4. Inother embodiments, for instance, D1 and D2 may be substantially equaland D3 and D4 may be substantially equal, but D1 and D2 may differ fromD3 and D4. In other embodiments, for instance, D1 and D4 may besubstantially equal and D2 and D3 may be may be substantially equal, butD1 and D4 may differ from D2 and D3. One or more of the offset distancesD1, D2, D3, and D4 can be in the range of about 0.75 inches and about2.0 inches. Further, the offset distance between adjacent vanes may varyat different points along the vanes. For instance, in some embodiments,the offset distance can increase from the leading portion 104 towardsthe trailing portion 106 (i.e., increase in width by about 10% to about40% from entrance to exit) to aid in reducing the velocity of the flowrate, an example of which is described in more detail below withreference to FIG. 9. In other embodiments, the offset distance candecrease from the leading portion 104 towards the trailing portion 106.

As shown in FIG. 3, each vane of the vane assembly 150 has a height(shown as height H). In accordance with some embodiments, the height (H)can be in the range of about 3.0 inches and about 8.0 inches. While theinlet diverter 100 shows the vanes having a constant height along theirentire length, this disclosure is not so limited. For instance, theheight of each of the plurality of vanes can vary from the leadingportion 104 towards the trailing portion 106. In some embodiments, theheight of the vanes may decrease from the leading portion 104 towardsthe trailing portion 106. In other embodiments, the height (H) of thevanes may increase from the leading portion 104 towards the trailingportion 106.

As shown in the exploded view in FIG. 2, the inlet diverter 100 caninclude a first plate 130 positioned on a first side (e.g., top side) ofthe vane assembly 150 and a second plate 132 positioned on a second side(e.g. bottom side) of the vane assembly 150. In some configurations, thefirst and second plates 130, 132 can be substantially perpendicular toeach of the vanes of the vane assembly 150 and substantially parallel toeach other, however this disclosure is not so limited. For instance, thefirst and second plates 130, 132 can be angled relative to each other,such as to accommodate a vane assembly having bell-shaped vanes orotherwise having non-uniform heights. In some embodiments, the first andsecond plates 130, 132 are each slanted towards each other, such thatthey are each angled relative to a horizontal plane. The first andsecond plates 130, 132 can inwardly slant from the inlet side of theinlet diverter 100 toward the other side of the inlet diverter.Additionally, the first and second plates 130, 132 can be angledrelative to some or all of the vanes of the vane assembly 150. The firstand second plates 130, 132 can either be separate plates, as shown, orcomponents of a housing or other structure that surrounds the inletdiverter 100. While one exemplary shape is illustrated, the first andsecond plates 130, 132 can have any suitable shape, such as to beaccommodated into an associated vessel, for instance. The first andsecond plates 130, 132 can be planar, as shown, or be curved, domed,ridged, among other geometries. In any event, the first and secondplates 130, 132 can be coupled to the vanes using any suitableattachment technique. In the illustrated embodiment, each vane has tabsthat are received into corresponding holes in the plates. Once the tabsare inserted into the holes, they can be welded or otherwise fixedlyattached.

In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second plates 130,132 defines a plurality of apertures 134. The apertures 134 can allowany entrained particulates, such as sand or other debris that maycollect between vanes of the vane assembly 150 during operation, to fallthrough the apertures 134 so that it does not collect in the passagesbetween the vanes. The apertures 134 can be shaped, sized, and arrangedsuch that a pressure drop is induced from above the aperture (i.e.internal to the inlet diverter 100) to below the aperture (i.e.,external to the inlet diverter 100) when the multiphase mixture isflowing through the vane assembly 150. Sand and debris can be pulled outthrough the apertures 134 during operation due to the pressuredifferential between the two sides of the second plate 132.

FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view of the inlet diverter 100 with the secondplate 132 removed for clarity of illustration and FIG. 6 depicts a sideview of the inlet diverter 100. FIG. 5 depicts a plurality of flowpassages P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6 defined by the vanes of the inletdiverter 100. In the illustrated embodiments, flow passages P1, P2, andP3 are defined by the diverter plate 148, the innermost vane 140, theinner vane 142, and the outermost vane 144. Flow passages P4, P5, and P6are defined by the outermost vane 114, the inner vane 112, the innermostvane 110, and the diverter plate 146. As is to be appreciated, while sixflow paths are illustrated in FIG. 5, this disclosure is not so limited,as the number of flow paths in the inlet diverter will be determinedbased on the total number of vanes utilized. The flow passages P1, P2,P3, P4, P5, P6 can have varying radiuses of curvature. For instance,flow passages P3 and P4 can each have a radius of curvature that isgreater than the radius of curvature of flow passages P1 and P6. Theradius of curvature of flow passages P2 and P5 can be between the radiusof curvature of flow passages P1-P6 and flow passages P3-P4.

Each of the flow passages P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6 can have a passageentrance 164 (FIG. 6) and a passage exit 166 (FIG. 6). The width of thepassage entrances 164 and the passage exits 166 can be defined by theoffset distances between adjacent vanes. As such, in some embodimentsthe passage exits 166 may be wider or narrower than the passageentrances 164. As shown in FIG. 5, as the flow passages extend from thepassage entrance 164 to the passage exit 166 they curve outwardly. WhileFIG. 5 depicts a linear portion positioned between the passage entrance164 and the curved portion of the passage, this disclosure is not solimited. For instance, in some embodiments, the entire flow passage iscurved. In other examples, the first portion of the flow passage iscurved and a trailing portion of the passage is linear. In otherexamples, the first portion of the flow passage is linear, the trailingportion of the passage is linear, and a curved portion connects them.

FIG. 7 shows a partial cutaway view of a vessel 180 having a vesselinlet 136 through which a multiphase mixture can be flowed (indicated byflow F). The inlet diverter 100 is positioned proximate to a head of thevessel 180 such that, as the multiphase mixture is fed through thevessel inlet 136, it flows through the inlet 124 of the inlet diverter100 and into the vane assembly 150. As described above, the flow pathsof the inlet diverter 100 travel through the inlet diverter 100 andultimately discharge the multiphase mixture out of the inlet diverter100 and towards an inner wall 182 of the vessel 180 that is proximatethe head of the vessel 180. Further, while the vessel inlet 136 of thevessel 180 is generally aligned with the inlet 124 of the inlet diverter100, this disclosure is not so limited. For instance, in some vesselconfigurations the vessel inlet 136 may be positioned on top or at aside of the vessel 180. In such configurations, internal piping can beutilized to route the flow of the multiphase mixture towards the inlet124 of the inlet diverter 100. Further, the size of the vessel 180 canvary based on application. In some embodiments, for instance, the vessel180 is a 24-inch vessel. In other embodiments, the vessel is a 30-inchvessel. As is to be appreciated, this disclosure is not limited to anyparticular vessel size, shape, type, or arrangement.

A multiphase mixture can be introduced into the vessel 180 through thevessel inlet 136 and then directed into the inlet 124 of the inletdiverter 100. The constituents of the multiphase mixture introducedthrough the inlet diverter 100 can vary based on application and caneven vary during operation. For instance, in some operationalenvironments, the multiphase mixture is a multi-phase emulsion includingmultiple immiscible liquids. The multiphase mixture can also includevarious particulates that need to be separated from liquid. Based on theconstituents of the multiphase mixture, the order or sequence of theseparation that occurs as the multiphase mixture flows through thepassages can vary. In any event, during operation, separation of themultiphase mixture can include, for example, separation of solids fromliquids, gases from liquids, and/or liquids from other liquids.

The operation of the inlet diverter 100 in accordance with oneoperational embodiment will now be described. For the purposes ofillustration, the operation described below is in the context of ahydrocarbon well stream, such as an output from a gas or oil well, forinstance. A hydrocarbon well stream can be a multiphase flow comprisingnatural gas, oil, water, among a variety of other constituents. Thevessel 180 schematically depicted in FIG. 7 can be any suitable vessel,such as a standalone unit, a component of a gas production unit (GPU)positioned at a well site, or part of a well pad production system, forinstance.

Once the hydrocarbon well stream is introduced into the vessel 180 fromthe well site, the configuration of the vane assembly 150 canbeneficially reduce the hydrocarbon well stream's velocity and toincrease the residence time of the hydrocarbon well stream inside thevessel 180. Reducing the speed of the flow and increasing the residencetime both can improve the separation processes, particularly forhydrocarbon well streams having a high percentage of methane or othergas. Components of the inlet diverter 100 can also maintain andencourage the coalescence of similar liquid components (e.g., crude oilor water), while minimizing the opportunity to break liquid droplets into many smaller droplets. The structure of the inlet diverter 100 alsobeneficially serves to reduce the aerosolization of the water orhydrocarbon liquids into a hydrocarbon gas phase.

Upon being introduced into the vessel 180, the hydrocarbon well streamfirst contacts the leading portions 104 of a plurality of vanes of avane assembly 150. As shown in the illustrated embodiments, the leadingportion 104 can be substantially parallel to the hydrocarbon well streamflow in order to reduce the sheer of liquid components and maintainrelatively large liquid droplet size. The flow volume and flow rate ofthe hydrocarbon well stream introduced into inlet diverter 100 can vary.For instance, in some environments, the inlet diverter 100 can process arelatively high volume of a flowing multiphase mixture, such ashydrocarbon well streams having flowrates ranging from 0.5 to 22 millionstandard cubic feet per day (MMCFD) MMCFD gas; 1 to 600 blue barrels perday (bbl/day) oil; and 5 to 600 bbl/d water. As is to be readilyappreciated, however, the particular flowrates can vary during use.Depending upon the velocities with which the gas(es) and liquid(s) areintroduced to the vessel 180 relative to one another, the flow into thevessel 180 may also take on one any of several forms, such as slug,annular, churn, or mist, for example.

Still referring to an example operational environment, the hydrocarbonwell stream is separated and collectively routed through the pluralityof passages P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6 (FIG. 5) to route the multiphase flowthrough the curved portions of the passages. The curved vanes definingthe curved portions can gently redirect the hydrocarbon well stream inan effort to avoid additional sheer or turbulence while maintainingrelatively large liquid droplet sizes. As provided above, in someconfigurations, some or all of the passages can also increase in widthfrom the entrance of the passage to the exit of the passage. In suchcases, as the width of the passage increases, the volume of the passagerelative to the volume of the flowing hydrocarbon well stream increases.Accordingly, the velocity of the flowing mixture is further reduced asit travels through the passage. The plurality of apertures 134 describeabove can allow solid particles to drop out of the inlet diverter 100,as well as beneficially reduce the probability of solid materialbuilding up in the passages P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, which may impedeflow.

After traveling through the passages P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, themultiphase mixture is then discharged from the vane assembly 150 andtowards the inlet 124 such that the hydrocarbon well stream isdischarged toward the head of the vessel 180. With the multiphasemixture largely directed at the head or surface of the vessel 180, theconserved larger liquid components are allowed to continue to coalesceand with gravity, move down the inner surface of the vessel 180 into aliquid pool inside the vessel 180. The gaseous components of themultiphase mixture are maintained above the liquid pool. These gaseouscomponents (such as natural gas), now virtually free of liquid droplets,can continue through the vessel 180 for removal from the vessel 180 forfurther downstream processing. It is noted that while the inner wall 182is shown as being at the head of the vessel 180, in other embodimentsthe discharged multiphase mixture can be directed towards an innersidewall, or other wall or structure of the vessel 180. In any event, byslowing the flow of the multiphase mixture prior to discharging it fromthe inlet diverter 100, the speed at which droplets impact the innerwall 182 of the vessel 180 can be reduced, which further reducesaerosolization.

FIGS. 8-10 depict example vane configurations in accordance with variousnon-limiting embodiments. FIG. 8 depicts the inner vane 112 of the inletdiverter 100 described above and shown in FIG. 1-7. As provided above,the inner vane 112 has a leading portion 104 and a trailing portion 106.In the illustrated embodiment, the leading portion 104 is linear and thetrailing portion 106 is curved. The inner vane 112 also has an outersurface 128 and an inner surface 126, each of which serves to defineflow passages on either side of the vane. The curved portion 108 has aradius of curvature, which is shown as radius of curvature R, and adegree of curvature, which is shown as degree of curvature D. For vaneshaving a semi-circular curvature, as shown in FIG. 8, the radius ofcurvature can be constant throughout the entire degree of curvature. Forvanes having an elliptical curvature, as shown in FIG. 10, below, orother type of curvature, the radius of curvature can vary throughout thedegree of curvature. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of theinnermost vane 110 and the innermost vane 140 (i.e., R1) is betweenabout 1.5 inches and about 4.5 inches, the radius of curvature of theinner vane 112 and the inner vane 142 (i.e., R2) is between about 2.0inches and about 5.5 inches, and the radius of curvature of theoutermost vane 114 and the outermost vane 144 (i.e., R3) is betweenabout 3.0 inches and about 6.5 inches. In order to provide a nestedarrangement of vanes, the following relationship between R1, R2, and R3can be used: R1<R2<R3. Further, in some embodiments, the radius ofcurvature of the outermost vane (i.e., R3) is approximately 1.2 to 3times greater than the radius of curvature of the innermost vane (i.e.,R1).

With regard to the degree of curvature D, the inner vane 112 depicted inFIG. 8 has a degree of curvature D that is about 180 degrees. In otherembodiments, however, the degree of curvature D can be less than or morethan about 180. In some embodiments, the degree of curvature can be morethan about 135 degrees and less than about 225 degrees. Furthermore,each vane in the vane grouping can have the same degree of curvature (asshown in FIG. 4), or the degree of curvature of a vane within thegrouping can differ from the degree of curvature of another vane withinthe grouping.

While FIGS. 1-8 depict an example vane configuration, this disclosure isnot so limited. FIG. 9 depicts a vane grouping 202 in accordance withanother non-limiting embodiment. The vane grouping 202 can be similarto, or the same as in many respects as, either of the vane groupings 102and 122 illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. For example, the vane grouping 202 hasa plurality of vanes each having a leading portion 204, a curved portion208, and a trailing portion 206. The curved portions 208 each define arespective radius of curvature, shown as R1, R2, and R3, as measuredfrom an origin point, shown as O1, O2, O3. The vane grouping 202 definesa plurality of passages 216 between adjacent vanes. However, in thisembodiment, the width of the passages 216 increases from the leadingportion 204 towards the trailing portion 206. Accordingly, the offsetdistance D1 near the leading portions 204 of the vanes is less than theoffset distance D2 near the trailing portions 206 of the vanes. Onetechnique for providing passages that expand in width is to laterallyoffset the origin points of the curved portions 208 of the vanes. By wayof example, the origin points O1, O2, and O3 are laterally offset whichresults in the passages 216 expanding in width as they travel throughthe vane grouping 202.

FIG. 10 depicts a vane grouping 302 in accordance with anothernon-limiting embodiment. The vane grouping 302 can be similar to, or thesame as in many respects as, the vane grouping 202 illustrated in FIG.9. For example, the vane grouping 302 has a plurality of vanes eachhaving a leading portion 304, a curved portion 308, and a trailingportion 306. The vane grouping 302 defines a plurality of passages 316between adjacent vanes. However, in this embodiment, the degree ofcurvature of the vanes differs such that the curvature itself iselliptical. As illustrated, the degree of curvature of the innermostvane 310 is shown as D1, the degree of curvature of the inner vane 312is shown as D2, and the degree of curvature of the outermost vane 314 isshown as D3. As is depicted, D1 is greater than D2, which is greaterthan D3. By changing the degree of curvature between the vanes 310, 312,314, their respective trailing edges 310B, 312B, 314B are obliquelyaligned with one another. As is to be appreciated, other vane groupingformations may be used without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

The dimensions and/or values disclosed herein are not to be understoodas being strictly limited to the exact numerical dimensions and/orvalues recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimensionand/or value is intended to mean both the recited dimension and/or valueand a functionally equivalent range surrounding that dimension and/orvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm”.

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the presentinvention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevantfor a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating,for purposes of clarity, other elements. Those of ordinary skill in theart will recognize, however, that these sorts of focused discussionswould not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention,and therefore, a more detailed description of such elements is notprovided herein.

These and other embodiments of the systems, apparatuses, devices, andmethods can be used as would be recognized by those skilled in the art.The above descriptions of various systems, apparatuses, devices, andmethods are intended to illustrate specific examples and describecertain ways of making and using the systems, apparatuses, devices, andmethods disclosed and described here. These descriptions are neitherintended to be nor should be taken as an exhaustive list of the possibleways in which these systems, apparatuses, devices, and methods can bemade and used. A number of modifications, including substitutionsbetween or among examples and variations among combinations can be made.Those modifications and variations should be apparent to those ofordinary skill in this area after having read this disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An inlet diverter for separating a multiphasemixture, comprising: at least one inlet; and a vane grouping positionedproximate to the at least one inlet, the vane grouping comprising aplurality of first vanes each positioned beside each other and aplurality of second vanes positioned beside each other, the plurality ofsecond vanes positioned beside the plurality of first vanes, wherein:each vane of the first vanes having a leading portion extendingoutwardly in a first direction and a trailing portion extendingoutwardly in a second direction; a curved vane portion extends betweeneach leading portion and trailing portion of the first vanes andcomprises an inner vane surface and an outer vane surface, wherein atleast a portion of the inner vane surface and the outer vane surface arecurved in a first outward direction; each of the second vanes having aleading portion extending outwardly in a third direction and a trailingportion extending outwardly in a fourth direction; a curved vane portionextends between each leading portion and trailing portion of the secondvanes and comprises an inner vane surface and an outer vane surface,wherein at least a portion of the inner vane surface and the outer vanesurface are curved in a second outward direction, the leading portionand the trailing portion of each vane of the plurality of first vanesand the plurality of second vanes extend generally towards the at leastone inlet; the third direction is substantially parallel to the firstdirection and the fourth direction is substantially parallel to thesecond direction and at least a portion of an outer vane surface of oneof the second vanes is adjacent to at least a portion of an outer vanesurface of one of the first vanes; each vane of the plurality of firstvanes is spaced apart from an adjacent vane by an offset distance andthe offset distance increases or is substantially the same from theleading portion towards the trailing portion; a leading edge of each ofthe leading portions of the second vanes are obliquely aligned, atrailing edge of each of the trailing portions of the second vanes arelaterally aligned, and the trailing edges of the second vanes arelaterally aligned with the trailing edges of the first vanes; and afirst plate positioned on a first side of the vane grouping; and asecond plate positioned on a second side of the vane grouping, whereineach of the plurality of first vanes and each of the plurality of secondvanes is coupled to the first and second plates, wherein the secondplate is a bottom plate and defines a plurality of apertures.
 2. Theinlet diverter of claim 1, wherein the first direction is substantiallyparallel to the second direction.
 3. The inlet diverter of claim 1,wherein the offset distance at adjacent leading portions of adjacentvanes is between about 0.75 inches and about 2.6 inches and the offsetdistance at adjacent trailing portions of adjacent vanes is betweenabout 0.75 inches about 2.6 inches.
 4. The inlet diverter of claim 1,wherein a thickness of each of the plurality of vanes is between about0.125 inches and about 0.5 inches, a height of each of the plurality ofvanes is between about 3.0 inches and about 8.0 inches, and the heightof each of the plurality of vanes is either constant from the leadingportion towards the trailing portion or varying from the leading portiontowards the trailing portion.
 5. The inlet diverter of claim 1, whereina trailing edge of each of the trailing portions of each vane of theplurality of vanes are laterally aligned with respect to each other. 6.The inlet diverter of claim 1, wherein the curved vane portion of eachvane of the plurality of vanes defines a radius of curvature and whereinthe radius of curvature of one vane of the plurality of vanes isdifferent than the radius of curvature of another vane of the pluralityof vanes.
 7. The inlet diverter of claim 6, wherein the radius ofcurvature for an innermost vane of the plurality of vanes is less thanthe radius of curvature for an outermost vane of the plurality of vanes.8. The inlet diverter of claim 6, wherein the curved vane portion ofeach of the plurality of vanes defines a degree of curvature and whereinthe degree of curvature is between about 130 degrees and about 200degrees.
 9. The inlet diverter of claim 8, wherein the degree ofcurvature is about 180 degrees.